The administrative reorganization that President Roderick J. McDavis announced Monday brings changes for Ohio University outreach efforts and regional campuses. With two key administrators reporting to the executive vice president and provost under the new model, the areas will become better tied to the university's academic mission.

The reorganization, which took effect Monday, gives Provost Kathy Krendl the new title of executive vice president and provost, and it calls for her to oversee the regional campuses in addition to the Office of Research, the Office of University Outreach, and the Office of Equity and Diversity.

"I hope it will mean that we have a more natural channel of communication with the colleges and other parts of the academic enterprise as we plan outreach programming," said Charlie Bird, who assumes the title of vice provost for university outreach under the new structure.

Bird, who previously was vice president for regional higher education, now reports to Krendl. He will focus on developing new opportunities for the university to generate revenue.

"It really allows me to focus on parts of what I've been doing, and I hope move them along faster -- expanding partnerships with community colleges and creating more distance-education environments," he said.

Dan Evans, dean of the Southern Campus and executive dean of the regional campuses, also will report to Krendl. The deans of each regional campus will report to him, and he will continue to serve as dean of the Southern Campus.

"I hope (the change) helps the regional campuses by having someone being the executive dean who is focused entirely on their issues and opportunities," Bird said.

Evans, who has served since September 2006 in a chief operating officer role for the regional campuses, said he is enthusiastic about the opportunity to continue working with them. He said he expects to collaborate with the deans to address issues that are shared by all of the campuses.

"This puts me in a position that's unique among the deans as the executive dean because I can understand where they're coming from," he said. "This is the time that we really need to look to the academic side of the house to drive the institution forward."